The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-10-01
A CAPTAINS FAITH.
EXPLANATORY NOTES BY REV. GEO.
p. HAYES, D. D., L.. D.
Lesson Of the International Series
Fourth Quastsr) for sunday. Oct ..
Text OF the Lesson, Matt. will. 5-l3.
Golden Text, Matt. Will, $40.

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tor show events or utterances in the vicinity
OF Capernaum, which was during all tht
time Christ's home A centurion in the Ro
man army corresponded to a captain in ours
His command VIA, 100 men.
vs. 90. The disease--Palsy is a disease
waich consists Of loss Of power over the mus
cles, and may be either complete, leaving the
body helpless. or partial, leaving tho muscles
active but uncontrollabls. There are SONS
reasons for believing this case was Of the
latter kind AMI probably what is now known
as st. Vitus' dance II so. then the 'griev-
ously tormsnted" will be appreciated by
every ono that has seen case Of this disease.
Christ's reply ". \ was a quick answer to
the centurions petition for help, and q full
| justification Of tho faith that led him to seek
| Christ's aid. V. 3 shows the conception the
centurion had OF Christ's power over disease.
This case OF the centurion was among the
very earliest OF Chrsts manifestations Of his
power to do signs ut distance. The centu.
rions faith was shown in saying that tho Sa-
viours coming was not needed
VS. 10, II. Til. Gentilss-No doubt this
centurion was Gentle, and this is the first
manifestation Of thu Gentle faith that was to
be 81 largely called forth after the day Of
Pentecost V. II has been abundantly full
filed as a prophecy in tho history OF the
| church.
The expression SHALL sit down with Abra-
ham, aud Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom
OF heaven" is the Oriental method OF express
ing a thorough hsme welcome The whole
transaction becomes a type Of the future
spread Of his spell among the Gentiles, and
thi, centurion is the first fruit OF that ingath-
ering which has Teen accomplished in tho
Gentle world.
vs.. IL, 10. Rejection-The alternative Of
rejection is set forth in v. r. The Gentiles
OF the east and west are set in contrast with
the children OF the kingdom. and the race Is
represented by one or the other Of these So
also is each individual person, Those who
will not accept Christ are to DO cast out into
the outer darkness. Oriental feasts were at
night, with the house brilliantly lighted. The
outer darkness is the exclusion from that
light and plenty and comfort which reign
within.
The Saviour now put the centurion's faith
and the faith Of the people to another test.
He said, $50 thy way, and as thou hast be-
leyed, so be il unto thee The conduct of
each one was now to show how far he be-
leved in the Savour's word. Ii the CEN
turion's faith was as strong as he said, he
would go home confident of the result.
Note l. Military officers are generally sup
posed to be a heartess class. Here is one
who had a tender regard for those under him.
If employers and people OF influence would
have similar care for those within their
power, the relations of affection would be AS
close ms they are here.
.. Many pupils to whom this lesson will lie
taught who have had Christian training
from their youth, will illustrate " l2 to their
eternal disgrace and pain And many chill
dren of heathen and vicious parents, to whom
this lesson will be taught in our mission
schools in this and other lands, will illustrate
v. II to their everlasting honor and joy.
SUGGESTIVE APPLICATIONS.
VS.. lam not worthy that thou shouldest
come under my roof-People Of authority
and of wealth in these days approach the
church, if they approach it at all, as if their
presence was favor. They seem to have a
lurking idea that they are to be praised by a
minister for condescending to attend when he
breaches Whether they actually go so far
in thought as to suppose that they are con-
ferring favor upon the Almighty by using
a part of the Sabbath in riding to church,
and tanning themselves with an Indifferent
attention upon all the services, may be
question they would not like to answer to
themselves. 1t becomes a kind OF constitu-
tional habit with them to patronize every
thing. They have patronizing air toward
all who are socially on different level from
themselves and they carry this same air into
religion and church work. The centurion,
though man of position and representa-
tive of Roman authority, not only possessed
moro sense but more humility. He recog-
nized the great favor he was seeking; he also
had some proper appreciation OF the dignity
and the power of the person from whom he
asked so great favor. He did not belittle
himself, but rather showed true greatness in
his humility. There Is useful lesson here
for all.
v. 49, As thou hast believed so be it done
unto thee-If the prayers Of ordinary Chris
tians were answered in this way now, about
how many do you think would receive what
they ask fora About how large a proportion
of those who profess regularly and daily to
ask blessings Of the Lord really and truly
have faith to believe that they will receive
exactly what they ask fort II the answer in
every case were to be, According to thy
faith so be it done unto thee, how much
would they really getl Now, the fact is that
the answer which Jesus made on earth to the
centurion is but an indication Of the answer
which he usually makes to all who seek him.
The Christian gets not what he asks for, but
according to the faith with which he asks.
HINTS FOR PRIMARY CLASSES.
The place-Capernaum, at the northwest
ern end of the sea of Galilee, where Jesus
often went. His second miracle was per-
formed on the son Of a nobleman who lived
In Capernaum 1t was military post and
the home of Simon Peter, where Jesus cured
Peters wife, 1t was the home or headquar-
tiers to which Jesus often returned.
The persons-The centurion or captain OF
one hundred men, a Roman military officer;
his servant, who was i'll; and Jesus Christ,
the great Physician.
The story-The fame Of Jesus had become
SO great that many people fiocked to hear
him and to be healed of various diseases
whenever he entered "A city, Soon after
coming to Capernaum this time, the Roman
officer came to him to beg that he would heal
his servant, who was very ill., Servants were
often part of the family in those days, and
much beloved when found faithful. They
remained n lifetime with the same family,